As a wedding photographer I have learnt so much about weddings that I wish I had known when I got married! Some of it is pretty self explanatory, some of it is stuff most people only realise on the day that they have to ask someone else how it works.

I hope that some of this will help you to be organised and relaxed on your wedding day!

• If it’s in your budget hire a planner or stylist. You may have had fun making all your DIY stuff but on the day you and your bridal party will all be busy getting ready and it’s very hard to delegate from your makeup chair. You have spent so much time planning and making things that you want it to be perfect and you don’t want to be stressing that everything hasn’t been done right. Hiring a professional even for a few hours of setup will help your day run as smoothly as possible.
If you can’t afford a professional, then delegate to friends and family well ahead of time and make sure everyone knows their jobs.

• As a photographer I recommend doing an Engagement shoot with your photographer. Of all of the vendors that you hire for your wedding day, the photographer is the one you will spend the most time with. You need to make sure you enjoy their company and feel comfortable with them, especially if you want happy, natural photographs.

• Consider your timing. Be sure to include travel time in your calculations. This is especially important when choosing your photography locations as it can really eat into your valuable time and timing is everything! If you can’t have your ceremony until later in the day consider having a ‘first look’. This is where you and your husband/wife to be see each other before the ceremony and get some photos of the two of you. It’s a personal decision of course but can be really lovely and special getting those jitters out beforehand.

• Delegate one of your bridal party to gather up all of the things you want photos of such as your shoes, jewellery, dress, perfume, suit jackets, cufflinks etc. This will mean the photographer doesn’t have to go riffling through your bags and closets.

• Give your photographer a list of family photos and delegate someone from your bridal party to help round everyone up. It’s so sad when you miss those family photos you really wanted but either the photographer doesn’t know, or can’t find who you need.

• Hydrate and get plenty of sleep. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment, and the excitement leading up to your wedding, but there’s only so much your makeup artist and photographer can do about tired skin and bloodshot eyes!

• Cake it on! I know a lot of brides don’t like heavy make up and feel that it looks so noticeable, but it’s better to have a nice matte finish than be shiny before you even get to the ceremony. Especially if you are having an outside ceremony and in the heat. Speak to your makeup artist and find out if they use products for and/or have experience in tv makeup as that is a good indication that they know what works. Your photographer can retouch those shiny, sweaty spots but you will probably have others taking photos of you as well and using flash makes it even worse!

• Use waterproof mascara. You do not want it to run!

• If your going to get a fake tan, make sure you get it 2-3 days before the big day to give it time to settle in and look more natural. Be sure to exfoliate and get a trial done to find a good shade for you. No one like to look like an oompa loompa!

• Prepare for any weather. Have a backup plan and have gumboots or thongs for your bridesmaids if you’re going to be in a paddock or climbing rocks.

• Some good posing tips. Lean forward, chin out and down and put your weight on one leg. A slight S shape in your body is always flattering.

• Buttonholes and corsages go on the left side. This is because it’s closest to your heart and most people are right side dominant and come in from the right for a hug.

• Girls – move your engagement ring to your other hand, so your hand is free of rings when he puts it on you. You can then move it over once your married.

• Pack an esky of drinks and snacks for your photo shoot. If you have hired a car they may provide some drinks, but there’s a good chance the butterflies have prevented you eating much in the morning and you’ll need to have a bite to eat.
• If you have any questions or need to find a supplier ask your vendors. Chances are we have a few people we can recommend. It’s also nice to provide your vendors with a list of your other suppliers as it helps on the day and we also like to thank each other for making your day special.

When it comes to shooting Newborns, you can pretty much set up anywhere as the ‘studio’ only needs to be quite small.

I make a point of offering to shoot my clients babies in their own home, as being a mother myself I understand just how hard it can be getting out of the house in those first few weeks! Especially when everyone wants to visit and see the gorgeous new baby! Then there is also the matter of whether mum is able to drive after giving birth.

I usually set up at least a couple of different set-ups which can be easily adjusted to get a few different looks in without upsetting baby too much.

Before you start there are a couple of things that will help you keep bubs asleep and cosy, which is what you need when working with a newborn. The main reason for this, is if you’ve ever tried to photograph a newborn, you will notice their arms and legs go everywhere and they make all sorts of strange and wonderful expressions with their mouths. Although this can be cute, it’s very hard to get the adorable shots we’re after! Firstly make sure the room is really warm. I usually work in about 28-30 degrees celcius. This can get uncomfortable for the adults in the room, but baby will be nice and cosy. You can always use a under blanket heating pad, and I also find if you’re using an oil heater in the room, you can pop a blanket over it for a minute to put over the baby once you have them positioned to make sure they settle. Secondly the use of white noise will help them settle as well. You may need to feed baby several times throughout the shoot to keep them sleeping. Having a bottle and/or dummy on hand can be helpful as breastfeeding and then repositioning the baby means you need to essentially start all over again. I always allow about 4 hours for a newborn shoot as you never know how it’s going to work out. Even if you are the baby whisperer!

I have a couple of adorable canvas backdrops perfect for babies, that consist of a vintage wallpaper and floorboards all printed on one piece of canvas. I have a couple of different skirting boards that I then clip to where the designs join and ‘viola’, an instant backdrop! These are great as they are very portable and can be setup anywhere where you can find some wall space. I use masking tape to keep it all secure as the tape won’t peel off paint or varnish. You can also use a backdrop stand but I find they sit better when secured to the wall.

newborn

The second setup I have ready to go is a draped fabric over a beanbag. I’m always on the lookout for beautiful textured fabrics that will work well. I will layer them up for a quick changeover, and use other wraps and fabrics to position the baby exactly where I want them. Finding the right fabrics and beanbags can be quite hard. The beanbag needs to be really firm, so that they don’t sink into it too much. You also need to take into account that a naked baby will probably pee, poop or spew all over everything, so make sure they can be easily washed. I recently found an outdoor square beanbag which is perfect for this.

I always have a black backdrop handy in case we need to set up something for the whole family. It also comes in handy if you want to get some shots of mum or dad holding the baby and you only want to see their arms.

Here dad has black sleeves but his shirt was white, so we picked up the backdrop from the floor and clipped it to his shoulders.

Depending on the location you may not need a backdrop. Here we just used the curtain in the family home.

These family shots have been photographed using a softbox, but when photographing newborns, it’s always best to try and use natural light where possible. If you are in a room where it’s not possible to use natural light, or it’s just not the right time of day, you can reflect a studio light off a wall or a reflector for a similar effect.

These are just a few tips I have learnt along the way. I hope you find them helpful in photographing your newborns.

If you want to book a newborn session with me just fill in the contact form below.

They say it’s good luck if you have your wedding day in the rain, and if that’s anything to go by, this couple have lots of good luck coming their way and will be sitting in their rocking chairs when they’re old and grey, holding hands and staring into each others eyes.

Alicia and Danny met at work in the gourmet food industry and were soon inseparable. They’re love of beautiful things was shown in their wedding with an abundance of gorgeous flowers and of course luxurious take home gifts for their guests.

The bridal party and family all got ready at the Jephson Hotel in Toowong which was lovely and roomy for everyone to get ready and the girls had their hair and makeup done by the amazing team from Velbella.

Alicia and Danny were married by Eve at Bundaleer Rainforest Gardens on the gumnut deck after being moved from the sprawling jacaranda tree due to torrential rain. Their vintage theme was setup beautifully complete with paper lanterns and an old bicycle. The ceremony was held in the marquee which completed the look with lots of burning candles and fairy lights.

After the ceremony, we all donned our umbrellas and raincoats and I wrapped my camera and flashes in plastic bags and condoms (yes it actually works!), and we ventured out into the weather for some bridal party shots. Everyone was a trooper! Not only did we all get drenched, but water was creeping up our legs, making it colder every minute. Not to mention the camera lens fogging up due to the humidity and the plastic bags!

I soon sent the bridal party back to the marquee to dry off in front of the industrial heater (you know the ones you get from the building hire places that look like jet engines), and the bride and groom had a little private time for a few very special photos.

Even though it was pouring rain the atmosphere was fun and loving, and I even managed to steal the newlyweds for a secret dance in the rain during the reception 🙂

Just goes to show, nothing can ruin your big day if you don’t let it! Let it rain on your wedding day I say!

It was a beautiful warm day back in November. Mel and Dan who had been together for 10 years, and have a beautiful little girl together were finally tying the knot.
Mel and Dan are a couple that enjoy the simple things in life, and their wedding really reflected this. From the very simple bouquets of baby’s breath and rosemary to the bombonieres of beautiful fresh locally sourced jars of honey, with the words ‘spread the love’.
The ceremony was a traditional catholic ceremony at Corpus Christie Catholic Church in Nundah, followed by the reception at Nudgee Golf Course. The bridal party were a barrel of fun, and we had an awesome day!
Thanks Dan & Mel for sharing your day with me! xx

And what a wonderful and busy year it’s been! I myself had my second (and last) child in April. Two baby girls who for better or worse are smart and boisterous and keep my hands full, especially when I’m running a business and trying to edit hundreds of photos at any one time!

My sister also had a baby girl and of course many of my previous wedding clients have come back when they’ve started their families, which is what I love! Growing with people as you share the most important parts of their lives, and help them cherish those memories.

So on that note why don’t we start on the journey of life in 2014 through my eyes, and start with the maternity and newborn shoots….

And of course don’t forget the first birthday cake smash!!

Weddings, weddings and more weddings!!

I decided I needed to do some more boudoir shoots just for some fun! Hopefully there will be a lot more of this next year!

And of course there’s is always lots of family photos. I love when families want to do something a bit out of the ordinary and just plain fun!

2015 is already gearing up to be crazy busy. So much to look forward to!!

I hope you all have an amazing New Year and that 2015 will bring adventure, new beginnings and most importantly you spend some of it with the ones you love!

Mickel & Violet had a beautiful intimate Mt Tamborine wedding, which they made perfect just for them! Despite a multitude of last minute hiccups, they didn’t let them ruin their day, and how could they? These two are so much in love they just couldn’t stop laughing all day! It was such a wonderful pleasure to be involved in such a gorgeous day!

Both the bride and groom had private houses rented on the mountain, so there was plenty of room for all of their bridal party to get ready. Not to mention spectacular mountain views!

Mickel and his groomsmen are all barbers and the boys had to make sure he was clean shaven with a cutthroat razor before seeing his beautiful bride.

Violet is a master of hair and makeup and managed to be the calm and collected bride and super mum all at the same time, getting her bridesmaids and kids ready for the day.

The groom waiting for the arrival of his beautiful bride

The intimate ceremony and reception was held at The Old Church in Mt Tamborine. It’s a gorgeous little chapel situated at the top of Mt Tamborine and their little restaurant is perfect for a small wedding of close friends and family.

The bridal party were a lot of fun during our ‘formal shoot’.

We took the bride and groom to the lookout on Mt Tamborine to take advantage of the spectacular backdrop.

The cake was made from local cheeses. Such a fantastic idea! And the bride told me she was eating cheese for weeks afterwards!

I know this is going to be hot and potentially heated topic among wedding suppliers and vendors, but it has to be said.

Have wedding expo’s had their day? This year in particular it has been noted across the board that numbers at wedding expo’s are down, and not just by a few brides, but by hundreds in some cases.

Why is this? Are we becoming a society totally reliant on the internet. Do we not feel the need to meet those people that are going to make your dream wedding day come true, and see the products they supply up close and personal? Are we solely relying on the referrals of our friends (or Facebook friends?). Isn’t it important that we meet and get along with those people like your celebrant or your photographer, that will make or break your day?

The expo’s I have attended recently, that most wedding vendors spend a fortune to set up and promote themselves, have definitely been on the verge of why bother? I especially feel sorry for the florists that bring along so many fresh flowers, and the cake decorators that spend days baking beforehand. Not to mention the person that just let a dozen doves fly into the air for all of 3 spectators!

Being a photographer I know I am in a totally saturated market. Every person with a good camera is a photographer these days, and everyone always has a friend or a cousin that can do it for them. If you’re on a tight budget, I understand – I’ve been there myself. But more and more I’m hearing of people finding businesses on Facebook and then finding out they are not legitimate businesses or that they are using photos of other peoples work to get noticed, which is not only immoral but completely illegal. Who do you trust? How much research do you actually do?

My question is, where is the market taking us? Is there a need for something new and exciting? Where do you go to get your information and find the wedding vendors that are a perfect fit for you? Because even though that person was recommended on Facebook or some other social media site doesn’t mean they are the right fit for you and your partner. It just means they probably sit on Facebook all day.

Is anyone else reading this in Carrie Bradshaw’s voice? Thanks for reading my Sex in the City style rant! lol.

I love when people come to me with great ideas for their photos! When this cute little family asked if we could go out to Fort Lytton, I was very excited on what we might get.

Although access can be quite restrictive and it was a really windy day, we had lots of fun and got some great family photos.

Fort Lytton is an old military defence facility on the Brisbane River out near the Port Of Brisbane, dating back to the 1800’s. It’s a great place to explore the underground bunkers and feels a bit like your stepping into the Lord of the Rings. Fort Lytton is open to the public on Sundays and is free admission.

Ploenges073

Ploenges069

Ploenges060

Ploenges039

Ploenges037

Ploenges035

Ploenges021

Ploenges010

Ploenges010-bw

Ploenges039-bw

Visit the website for more fun family photos
Family portraits can be done in the studio or out on location in your favourite place. If you would like me to capture your family memories I would love to meet you!
Please contact me for more information on bookings.

Ladies, Ladies, Ladies – come and join me and my all female team for a weekend full of sexy Boudoir Photography shoots. With dates set in January, just in time to get your loved one something sexy and beautiful (and all about you!).
This is available to girls of all sizes as there are so many ways to get sexy and seductive and still cover up those bits you don’t like.

Location is still to be confirmed, but we are looking at several luxury apartments in Brisbane City.

Bringing another life into this world is one of life’s amazing miracles, full of wonder and excitement. Creating a new life inside of your growing baby belly you emanate a glow that only a pregnant woman can enjoy. As you embark on the journey of becoming a parent let us help you to capture those memories so that you may cherish them for the rest of your lives.

We have designed a couple of specialised packages to celebrate these special moments. Of course you are welcome to design your own package from our Al a Carte price list or add additional items to your package.

BLOSSOM COLLECTION

The first year of a child’s life involves so many milestones as they grow from a little bump in mum’s belly through to a little person of their own. This first year flies by so quickly we often wonder where our baby has gone! Let us capture some of these amazing moments for you to keep and share.

The Blossom Collection consists of sessions:

Maternity session

Newborn session

6 month session

12 month session including cake smash

Maternity Session

As your excitement grows from the anticipation of the arrival of your little bundle of joy, so does your gorgeous belly! It’s an emotional time for parents, and a time to bathe in the glow of pregnancy and the love of becoming a parent. You can share this session with your partner and if you have other children they are welcome also.

The maternity session can be done in the privacy of your own home, on location or in the studio, depending on where you feel most comfortable your preferred style of photo shoot. In the studio (which can also be set up in your own home) we will use studio lighting to accentuate your bumps and curves and can create some really artistic photos. Outside is more of a lifestyle, fashion style session celebrating life!

Ideally your maternity session should be taken in your last trimester and preferably by 38 weeks.

Newborn Session

Newborns are best captured within the first 14 days of their lives, when they are at their sleepiest and most content (most of the time – although not all babies get the memo). Newborn sessions are generally between 2-4 hours in length, as they require feeding, cuddles and attention throughout to keep them happy and sleepy. Be sure to bring along any little outfits, blankets or stuffed toys that you want to include.

6 Month Session

This is generally around the time when bub starts sitting up and getting around and being a little more active. They have started laughing and playing and are turning into little personalities. Feel free to bring their favourite toy and be prepared to be a little silly to make them laugh!

12 Month Session

By now you have a very active little person,that loves to get into things. A cake smash is a great way to give them something tactile and fun to do and to capture their joy and amazement as they explore the tastes and textures.

Pricing

What would you expect to pay for a whole year of memories? Well at just $350 per session, you can get a lifetime of memories!